JP4062263B2 - Temperature sensor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a metal housing having a cylindrical front end portion that accommodates a temperature detection element, a crimping portion at the rear end, and a hollow portion of an axial center, and a fitting portion that supports the temperature detection element and fits into the hollow portion. The present invention relates to a temperature sensor formed by assembling an element support including a flange portion that is crimped by the crimping portion and a connector portion for connection at the rear end.

Conventionally, a temperature sensor has been used to measure the temperature of cooling water supplied to an engine.
A temperature sensor according to the prior art is shown in FIG. The temperature sensor is formed by assembling a resin element support 140 to a brass housing 120 shown in FIG. The housing 120 includes a cylindrical front end portion 122 that accommodates the temperature detection element 62 and a rear end caulking portion 128, and a hollow portion 130 is formed in the axial center CC. The element support 140 includes a fitting part 150 that supports the temperature detection element 62 and is fitted into the hollow part 130, a flange part 146 that is crimped by the crimping part 128, and a connector part 142 for connection.

FIG. 7B shows an enlarged view of the circle b in FIG. 7A. Here, the sealing property between the housing 120 and the element support 140 is a shield between the contact surface 132 of the housing 120 and the stepped portion 149 provided on the front end surface 148 of the flange portion 146 of the element support 140. It is maintained by interposing the ring 82.
Here, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose the seal structure of the temperature sensor.
JP 2003-139622 A JP-A-10-213491 JP 2002-243557 A

  If the housing 120 is damaged in the contact area 132 of the contact surface 132 shown in FIG. 7B, the sealing performance cannot be maintained for a long time, and the water transmitted through the caulking portion 128 is damaged. The temperature detecting element 62 is corroded through the gas. Here, since the housing 120 uses brass with high workability, the housing 120 is easily scratched. On the other hand, since the housing 120 is provided with the cylindrical tip portion 122, the plurality of housings 120 are attached to each other. When transported in bulk, the front end portion 122 of one housing 120 comes into contact with the contact surface 132 of another housing 120 and is damaged, causing the above-described sealing property to be lost. For this reason, the housing 120 is transported by a dedicated case provided with a through-hole into which the front end portion 122 is fitted. However, the housing 120 is accommodated in the dedicated case by using the individual housing 120 as the through-hole of the case. It was necessary to insert them one by one, which was a laborious work.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a temperature sensor that can maintain the sealing performance for a long period of time.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a metal housing 20 comprising a cylindrical front end portion 22 that accommodates the temperature detecting element 62, a rear end caulking portion 28, and a hollow portion 30 of the axial center CX. The element support body 40 including the fitting portion 50 that supports the temperature detecting element 62 and is fitted into the hollow portion 30, the flange portion 46 that is crimped by the crimping portion 28, and the connector portion 42 for connection at the rear end is assembled. The temperature sensor 10 is:
The metal housing 20 includes a contact surface 32 perpendicular to the axis CX provided near the inner periphery of the caulking portion 28;
A flange portion 46 of the element support 40 has a front end surface 48 that contacts the contact surface 32 perpendicular to the axis CX from the proximal end of the fitting portion 50, and from the front end surface 48 to the rear end side. A recessed step 49;
A plurality of concentric ring-shaped convex portions 34A projecting to the rear end side at positions facing the stepped portion 49 on the contact surface 32 of the metal housing 20;
A sealing material 82 is interposed between the stepped portion 49 and the ring-shaped convex portion 34A, and the portion having a high compression ratio where the ring-shaped convex portion hits the sealing material and the ring-shaped convex portion does not hit. A technical feature is that a portion having a low compression rate is generated .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the temperature detection element 62 is supported on the metal housing 20 including the cylindrical front end portion 22 that houses the temperature detection element 62, the rear end crimping portion 28, and the hollow portion 30 of the axial center CX. The temperature sensor 10 is formed by assembling an element support 40 including a fitting portion 50 to be fitted into the hollow portion 30, a flange portion 46 to be crimped by the crimping portion 28, and a connector portion 42 for connection at the rear end:
The metal housing 20 includes a contact surface 32 perpendicular to the axis CX provided near the inner periphery of the caulking portion 28;
A flange portion 46 of the element support 40 has a front end surface 48 that contacts the contact surface 32 perpendicular to the axis CX from the proximal end of the fitting portion 50, and from the front end surface 48 to the rear end side. A recessed step 49;
A plurality of concentric rows of semicircular convex portions 36I, 36M, and 36O projecting to the rear end side are provided at positions facing the stepped portion 49 on the contact surface 32 of the metal housing 20;
A seal material 82 is interposed between the step portion 49 and the projections 36I, 36M, and 36O, and a portion with a high compression ratio where the projection hits the seal material and a portion with a low compression ratio where the projection does not hit This is a technical feature.

  In the temperature sensor 10 of the first aspect, the flange portion 46 of the element support body 40 includes a stepped portion 49 that is recessed from the front end surface 48, the contact surface 32 of the metal housing 20 includes a ring-shaped convex portion 34 </ b> A, Since the sealing material 82 is interposed between the portion 49 and the ring-shaped convex portion 34A, for example, even if the ring-shaped convex portion 34A is damaged, the sealing performance can be maintained. For this reason, even when the metal housing 20 is conveyed in bulk, the tip 22 of the metal housing 20 hits the protrusion 34A of the abutting surface 32 of the other metal housing 20, and the protrusion 34A is damaged. The sealing material 82 is in contact with the contact surface 32, and the sealing performance is not impaired. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need to house and transport the metal housings 20 one by one in a dedicated case.

In the temperature sensor 10 according to the first aspect, the flange portion 46 of the element support 40 includes a stepped portion 49 that is recessed from the front end surface 48, and the contact surface 32 of the metal housing 20 has a plurality of ring-shaped convex portions 34A, 34B. And the sealing material 82 is interposed between the stepped portion 49 and the ring-shaped convex portions 34A and 34B. For example, even if the ring-shaped convex portion 34A is damaged, the ring-shaped convex portion 34A and the ring As long as there is no damage between the convex portions 34B, the sealing material 82 is in contact with the abutting surface 32, and the sealing performance can be maintained. Furthermore, even if the ring-shaped convex portion 34A is damaged, the sealing material 82 is in contact with the ring-shaped convex portion 34B as long as the ring-shaped convex portion 34B is not damaged, and the sealing performance can be maintained. For this reason, even if the metal housing 20 is conveyed in bulk, the tip 22 of the metal housing 20 hits the protrusion of the contact surface 32 of the other metal housing 20, and the protrusion is damaged. As long as 32y between 34A and convex part 34B is not damaged, the sealing performance is not impaired. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need to house and transport the metal housings 20 one by one in a dedicated case.

In the temperature sensor 10 according to the second aspect, the flange portion 46 of the element support body 40 includes a stepped portion 49 that is recessed from the front end surface 48, and the contact surface 32 of the metal housing 20 includes convex portions 36I, 36M, and 36O. Since the sealing material 82 is interposed between the stepped portion 49 and the convex portions 36I, 36M, 36O, for example, even if the convex portions 36I, 36M, 36O are scratched, the sealing material 82 is in contact with the contact surface 32, Sealability can be maintained. For this reason, the metal housing 20 is conveyed in bulk, and the tip 22 of the metal housing 20 abuts against the protrusions 36I, 36M, 36O of the contact surface 32 of the other metal housing 20, and the protrusions 36I, 36I, Even if 36M and 36O are damaged, the sealing performance is not impaired. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need to house and transport the metal housings 20 one by one in a dedicated case.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a temperature sensor accommodation mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a state in which the temperature sensor according to the first embodiment is attached to a cooling water pipe. Two cooling water pipes 80 are provided between the engine 90 and the radiator 92, and the cooling water cooled by the radiator 92 is supplied to the engine 90 side. One cooling water pipe 80 is provided with a housing bush 70 to which the temperature sensor 10 is attached.

  FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the state in which the temperature sensor 10 is attached to the housing bush 70. The housing bush 70 is configured by a cylindrical wall 76 that extends in a direction orthogonal to the cooling water pipe 80. The temperature sensor 10 is attached coaxially to the housing bush 70. A harness is connected to the upper portion of the temperature sensor 10 via a connector (not shown), and a temperature signal is sent to the engine control device side.

2A is a side view of the temperature sensor 10, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the housing bush showing a state where the temperature sensor is attached.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the temperature sensor 10 is provided with a cylindrical tip portion 22 that accommodates a temperature detection element (not shown) at the tip, a cylindrical step portion 24 that supports the tip portion 22, and a screw thread. A screw portion 25, a hexagonal nut portion 26, a crimping portion 28 directly above the nut portion 26, a neck portion 44 formed in a small diameter, and a connector portion 42 for connecting a connector (not shown). Prepare.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the housing bush 70 is configured by a cylindrical wall 76 and a bottom wall portion 74 that extend in a direction orthogonal to the cooling water pipe 80. In the center of the bottom wall portion 74, a communication hole 72 for inserting the tip portion 22 of the temperature sensor 10 is provided. On the bottom wall 74 side of the cylindrical wall 76, a stepped portion 78 having a reduced inner diameter is formed. On the stepped portion 78, a screw portion 75 that is screwed with the screw portion 25 of the temperature sensor 10 is provided. Yes.

  The temperature sensor 10 is attached to the housing bush 70 by turning the hexagonal nut portion 26 with a wrench in a state where the temperature sensor 10 is inserted through the housing bush 70 so that the screw portion 25 of the temperature sensor 10 is accommodated in the housing bush. This is performed by screwing into the screw portion 75 on the 70 side.

3A is a cross-sectional view taken along a1-a1 of the temperature sensor shown in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a housing, a shield ring, and an element support that constitute the temperature sensor. is there.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the temperature sensor 10 is formed by assembling a resin-made element support body 40 with a shield ring 82 interposed in a brass housing 20 shown in FIG. 3B. As shown in FIG. 3B, the housing 20 includes a cylindrical tip portion 22 that houses the temperature detection element 62, a cylindrical step portion 24 that supports the tip portion 22, and a screw portion provided with a thread. 25, a hexagonal nut portion 26, and a caulking portion 28 at the rear end, and a hollow portion 30 is formed in the axial center CX. In the vicinity of the inner periphery of the crimping portion 28, a contact surface 32 perpendicular to the axis CX is provided, and the contact surface 32 is located at a position facing a step portion 49 on the element support 40 side described later. Ring-shaped convex portions 34A and 34B projecting toward the rear end side are formed concentrically.

  On the other hand, the element support 40 supports the temperature detecting element 62 and fits into the hollow portion 30 of the housing 20, a flange portion 46 that is caulked by the caulking portion 28, and a connector portion 42 for connection at the rear end. And are provided. The flange portion 46 includes a front end surface 48 that contacts the contact surface 32 of the housing 20 perpendicular to the axis CX from the base end of the fitting portion 50, and a step portion 49 that is recessed from the front end surface 48 toward the rear end side. And are provided. The stepped portion 49 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the front end surface 48, is recessed in a crank shape, and forms a flat surface perpendicular to the axis CX. The connector portion 42 is provided with a terminal 66 connected from the temperature detection element 62 via a signal line 64. A harness is connected to the terminal 66 via a connector (not shown), and a temperature signal is sent to the engine control device side.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the element support 40 is assembled to the housing 20 with the shield ring 82 in contact with the contact surface 32 of the housing 20 and into the hollow portion 30. 3 is inserted, and the straight crimped portion 28 shown in FIG. 3B is caulked along the outer periphery of the flange portion 46 of the element support 40 as shown in FIG. 3A. .

Subsequently, the shield mechanism of the first embodiment will be described in further detail.
4A is a cross-sectional view of the housing, FIG. 4B is a view taken along the arrow b of the housing in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4C is a circle c in FIG. 3A. It is an expanded sectional view of a part.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the ring-shaped convex portion 34A and the ring-shaped convex portion 34B are formed concentrically with respect to the axis CX. The ring-shaped convex portion 34A and the ring-shaped convex portion 34B are formed by rotating the housing 20 and cutting with a cutting tool.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, the ring-shaped convex portions 34 </ b> A and 34 </ b> B formed on the contact surface 32 of the housing 20 are formed at positions that point to the flat surface of the stepped portion 49 of the element support 40. Yes. Here, in a state where the inner peripheral side of the contact surface 32 of the housing 20 and the front end surface 48 of the element support 40 are in contact with each other, the clearance between the outer peripheral side of the contact surface 32 and the stepped portion 49 is A resin shield ring 82 is interposed.

  In the temperature sensor 10 of the first embodiment, since the shield ring 82 is interposed between the stepped portion 49 and the ring-shaped convex portion 34A, for example, even if the ring-shaped convex portion 34A is damaged, the sealing performance is improved. Can keep. For this reason, even when the metal housing 20 is conveyed in bulk, the tip 22 of the metal housing 20 hits the protrusion 34A of the abutting surface 32 of the other metal housing 20, and the protrusion 34A is damaged. The shield ring 82 is in contact with the contact surface 32, so that the sealing performance is not impaired. In particular, in the first embodiment, the contact surface 32 includes a plurality of ring-shaped convex portions 34A and 34B, and the shield ring 82 is provided between the step portion 49, the ring-shaped convex portion 34A, and the ring-shaped convex portion 34A. Therefore, even if the ring-shaped convex portion 34A is damaged, the sealing performance can be maintained. For this reason, even when the metal housing 20 is conveyed in bulk, the tip 22 of the metal housing 20 hits the protrusion 34A of the abutting surface 32 of the other metal housing 20, and the protrusion 34A is damaged. The shield ring 82 is in contact with the contact surface 32, so that the sealing performance is not impaired. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need to house and transport the metal housings 20 one by one in a dedicated case.

  Furthermore, even when no scratches occur, by providing concentric ring-shaped convex portions 34A and 34B with respect to the axis CX, the shield ring (packing) 82 has a portion with a low compression rate (a portion not hitting the convex portion). ) And a portion with a high compression ratio (a portion where the convex portion hits). Even if the seal ring 82 hangs due to secular change and the sealability of the portion with a low compression rate cannot be secured, the portion with the high compression rate is formed concentrically, so the sealability is secured at that portion. Therefore, water can be prevented from entering the temperature sensor, and the life of the temperature sensor can be extended.

Here, the arrangement and size of the ring-shaped convex portions 34A and 34B will be described with reference to FIG.
In the temperature sensor 10 of the first embodiment, the interval between the ring-shaped protrusion 34A and the ring-shaped protrusion 34B is Y, and the protrusion height of the ring-shaped protrusion 34A and the ring-shaped protrusion 34B is Z. When the diameter of the distal end portion 22 is X, the protrusion height Z is set so as to satisfy the degree 2 equation.

  By satisfying Equation 2, the tip 22 is sandwiched between the ring-shaped convex portions 34A and 34B and contacts the flat surface 32y between the ring-shaped convex portion 34A and the ring-shaped convex portion 34B. become unable. For this reason, even if the housing 20 is conveyed in bulk and the front end portion 22 of the housing 20 hits the contact surface 32 of the other metal housing 20, the space between the ring-shaped convex portion 34A and the ring-shaped convex portion 34B. Since the flat surface 32y is not damaged, the sealing performance is not impaired.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a temperature sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
6A is a cross-sectional view of the housing of the temperature sensor according to the second embodiment, FIG. 6B is a view taken in the direction of arrow b2 of the housing of FIG. 6A, and FIG. It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows the contact part of the housing of 2nd Embodiment, and an element support body. FIG. 6A corresponds to the a2-a2 cross section in FIG.
In the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 4, the ring-shaped convex portions 34 </ b> A and 34 </ b> B are provided on the contact surface 32 of the housing 20. On the other hand, in 2nd Embodiment, the semicircular convex parts 36I, 36M, and 36O which protrude to a rear-end side are provided in the position which is the contact surface 32 of the housing 20, and faces the step part 49. is there. As shown in FIG. 6B, the convex portions 36I, 36M, and 36O are provided in three rows concentrically with respect to the axis CX. The central row of convex portions 36M are arranged between the convex portions 36I and 36I of the inner circumferential row, and similarly between the convex portions 36O and 36O of the outer circumferential row.

  In the temperature sensor 10 of the second embodiment, the flange portion 46 of the element support 40 includes a stepped portion 49 that is recessed from the front end surface 48, and the contact surface 32 of the metal housing 20 includes convex portions 36I, 36M, and 36O. Since the shield ring 82 is interposed between the step portion 49 and the convex portions 36I, 36M, 36O, even if the convex portions 36I, 36M, 36O are damaged, the shield ring 82 is in contact with the contact surface 32. , Sealability can be maintained. For this reason, the metal housing 20 is conveyed in bulk, and the tip 22 of the metal housing 20 abuts against the protrusions 36I, 36M, 36O of the contact surface 32 of the other metal housing 20, and the protrusions 36I, 36I, Even if 36M and 36O are damaged, the sealing performance is not impaired. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need to house and transport the metal housings 20 one by one in a dedicated case.

  In the embodiment described above, an example in which the configuration of the present invention is applied to the temperature sensor of the cooling water has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to various sensors that detect the temperature of the liquid medium passage, such as an oil temperature sensor. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, two ring-shaped convex portions are provided, but any number of one or more can be configured as long as the number is one or more. In the embodiment, the shield ring is used. However, seal packing or an O-ring can be used as the seal material.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a state in which the temperature sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to the cooling water pipe, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a state in which the temperature sensor is attached to the housing bush. It is. 2A is a side view of the temperature sensor, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the housing bush showing a state in which the temperature sensor is attached. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along a1-a1 of the temperature sensor shown in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a housing, a shield ring, and an element support that constitute the temperature sensor. is there. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the housing, FIG. 4B is a view taken along the arrow b of the housing in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4C is a circle c in FIG. 3A. It is an expanded sectional view of a part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the height of a ring-shaped convex part, and the diameter of the front-end | tip part of a housing. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the housing of the temperature sensor according to the second embodiment, FIG. 6B is a view taken in the direction of arrow b2 of the housing of FIG. 6A, and FIG. It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows the contact part of the housing of 2nd Embodiment, and an element support body. 7A is a cross-sectional view of a temperature sensor according to the prior art, FIG. 7B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a circle b portion in FIG. 7A, and FIG. It is sectional drawing of the housing which comprises the temperature sensor of a prior art, a shield ring, and an element support body.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Temperature sensor 20 Housing 22 Tip part 24 Step part 25 Screw part 26 Nut part 28 Caulking part 30 Hollow part 32 Contact surface 34 Ring-shaped convex part 36 Concave part 40 Element support body 42 Connector part 44 Neck part 46 Flange part 48 Front end Surface 49 Step part 50 Insertion part 62 Sensor 64 Signal line 66 Terminal 70 Housing bush 80 Cooling water pipe 82 Shield ring (seal material)

Claims (2)

A metal housing having a cylindrical tip portion for accommodating the temperature detection element, a crimping portion at the rear end, and a hollow portion of the axial center, and a fitting portion for supporting the temperature detection element and fitting into the hollow portion and the crimping portion. A temperature sensor formed by assembling an element support including a flange portion to be crimped and a connector portion for connection at the rear end:
The metal housing includes a contact surface perpendicular to the shaft center provided in the vicinity of the inner periphery of the caulking portion;
The flange portion of the element support includes a front end surface that contacts the contact surface perpendicular to the axis from the base end of the fitting portion, and a step portion that is recessed from the front end surface to the rear end side. ;
A plurality of ring-shaped convex portions concentrically projecting toward the rear end side at a position facing the stepped portion on the contact surface of the metal housing;
A sealing material is interposed between the stepped portion and the ring-shaped convex portion, and a portion having a high compression ratio where the ring-shaped convex portion hits the sealing material and a compression ratio where the ring-shaped convex portion does not hit. A temperature sensor characterized by producing a low part . A metal housing having a cylindrical tip portion for accommodating the temperature detection element, a crimping portion at the rear end, and a hollow portion of the axial center, and a fitting portion for supporting the temperature detection element and fitting into the hollow portion and the crimping portion. A temperature sensor formed by assembling an element support including a flange portion to be crimped and a connector portion for connection at the rear end:
The metal housing includes a contact surface perpendicular to the shaft center provided in the vicinity of the inner periphery of the caulking portion;
The flange portion of the element support includes a front end surface that contacts the contact surface perpendicular to the axis from the base end of the fitting portion, and a step portion that is recessed from the front end surface to the rear end side. ;
A plurality of concentrically arranged semicircular convex portions projecting toward the rear end side at positions facing the stepped portion of the contact surface of the metal housing;
A sealing material is interposed between the stepped portion and the convex portion, and a portion having a high compressibility at which the convex portion hits the sealing material and a portion having a low compressibility at which the convex portion does not hit are generated. A characteristic temperature sensor.

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